AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

May 2009

Notes from the Department Head  |  News & Announcements  |  Graduate Student Profile  |  Congratulations
Recent Grants  |  Calendar of Events  |  Animal Science Seminars  |  External Employment Opportunities

On Sunday, May 10th, CFANS held it third commencement with 72 students receiving a degree in Animal Science. One of this year’s program highlights was the senior class address given by Animal Science graduate Lucas Sjostrom. Lucas, with his wit and humor, encouraged the graduating class to go forth and be successful in their chosen areas of food, agriculture and natural resources. His words were especially resounding given the challenges in our economy today. The need for bright young people in agriculture was never greater than it is now. Jeff Simons, president of Elanco, recently stated that the world’s food production will have to increase 100% by the year 2050 to feed a growing population. The goal of accomplishing this increase while protecting our environment and sustaining our natural resources presents great challenges and opportunities for today’s college graduates.

This was an excellent group of seniors who have worked hard the last 4 years and are well prepared for their chosen careers. We know they will succeed wherever their career paths lead them and be excellent representatives of the University of Minnesota. As teachers and advisors, we are proud of their achievements, but also sorry to see them leave. We know they leave with excitement for a new beginning and are prepared to address the agricultural and food challenges of the future.   

As we say good bye to this year’s graduates, we also take leave for the summer in sending you this newsletter. The summer will still be busy attending many regional and national professional meetings, searching for new faculty in beef management and organic dairy production, and working on plans for an anaerobic digester on the St. Paul Campus. Watch for updates on these and other happenings over the summer in our fall newsletters. 

To all – Have a fun, enjoyable and safe summer!
 

Nelson Receives CS/BU Staff Award

Peter Nelson, Animal Science Meat Laboratory Supervisor since 2007, will be presented with the 2009 Civil Service/Bargaining Unit (CS/BU) Staff Award at the CFANS College Assembly on May 19. The CFANS Honors and Awards Committee is recognizing Pete for his outstanding contributions to the CFANS community in a scientific/technical appointment.

Pete’s tireless efforts and dedication rejuvenated the Meat Lab facility and put the college back on the map for stakeholders interested in the many aspects of meat science. His efforts have assured us of sustaining a historically important and essential resource that supports important teaching, research and outreach efforts in meat quality, food safety, processing, muscle growth, etc.

Pete has gone above and beyond his required duties, which include assisting in classroom demonstrations, assisting in program planning, and assuring HACCP procedures are followed in the lab, and has taken these duties from an expected level of a supporting role to the exceptional level of a leadership role.

Largely due to Pete’s abilities, industry experience and creative marketing initiatives, retail sales at the Meat Lab have increased from an average of $200 to $10,000 per month and billable research usage has gone from $33,000 to $163.000 annually. Pete took the initiative to develop employee guidelines and training, and wrote the Lab Safety Guidelines and Requirements for Meat Lab Employees. His accomplishments include the development of new meat products and packaging them for retail sales with products from other departments.

Pete is an invaluable component in the support of research for a variety of programs across the U of M campus and with industry. Recently, Pete worked with a company to evaluate a new technology designed to improve tenderness of beef, lamb and pork during the animal harvest process, and met the essential objectives of faculty research projects through his work on the evaluation of pork, turkey and beef quality.

The Department is extremely proud of Pete and his accomplishments.  
 

Pomerenke Comments on KARE 11 About 'Swine Flu'

Animal Science graduate student Jenna Pomerenke was featured on KARE 11 News in a brief segment about pork production and the H1N1 flu virus. Jenna stated that pigs can get an influenza virus called 'swine flu' but it is not related to what humans are contracting now.

Jenna gave the news crew a tour of the St. Paul Campus Swine Research and Teaching facility and showed them sows nursing piglets in a sealed containment room.

Read the story and view the video that appeared on the 6:00 p.m. news on April 29 on-line at: www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=662649&catid=2.
  

FANS Division Picnic is June 16

Join us for good food, fun and conversation at the FANS Division Annual Picnic and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 16. The Animal Science Meat Lab will provide and grill burgers and brats, and the Departments of Animal Science, and Food Science and Nutrition will bring the salads, chips, beverages, and dessert.

The picnic will be held outside at the Livestock Pavilion at 12:00 noon; in case of rain, it'll be moved inside. During the get-together, Animal Science will present Department awards to the Outstanding PhD Student, Outstanding MS Student, Outstanding Graduate Faculty, and to staff for Outstanding Service.

All Animal Science, and Food Science and Nutrition students, faculty, staff and retirees are welcome!
 

Students Receive ASAS Scholastic Achievement Awards

Nine Animal Science students were presented with American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Scholastic Achievement awards at the Animal Science barbeque on Thursday, April 23. Jennifer Becker, Brett Boyum, Amy Esselman, Adam Husfeldt, Amanda Rasmussen, Kathryn Meloche, Abby Rudenick, Valerie Ujazdowski, and Kami Vickerman were recognized for outstanding leadership and their contributions to undergraduate animal science activities.

To be eligible for the ASAS Scholastic Achievement Award, a student must rank in the upper 10% of a senior, junior or sophomore class, and be pursuing a career in animal science.

Above (L-R): Adam Husfeldt, Valerie Ujazdowski, Jennifer Becker, Abby Rudenick,
Amanda Rasmussen, Amy Esselman, Brett Boyum, Kathryn Meloche.
(Kami Vickerman is not pictured)  
 

PhD Student Visits from Sweden

Linda Karlsson, a PhD student at the Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, is spending three months in the laboratory of Dr. Marshall Stern. Linda’s department is situated in Umeå in the north of Sweden where research and education are focused on forage, and influenced by strong interactions between soil, plant and animal sciences. She is in the third year of her PhD project where she is evaluating hempseed cake as a protein feed, focusing on the protein value for ruminants.

In Sweden, there is a need to find good protein sources as a complement to forage in ruminant feeding. Hempseed can be an alternative to increase the use of locally produced protein feeds. The press residue of the seed, hempseed cake, is an interesting protein feed, and its protein quality and the effects of feeding need to be studied.

To date, Linda has studied the possibilities of using an in vitro gas production technique to estimate ruminal protein degradation. She also conducted two feeding trials last summer with hempseed cake; one with lambs and one with dairy cows.

During Linda’s research visit here at the U of M Department of Animal Science, she will be working with Marshall Stern and PhD student Martin Ruiz Moreno to study the intestinal digestibility of protein feeds from Sweden using the three-step procedure developed by Calasamiglia and Stern.
   

Equine Webinars Receive Shirley Davis Award for Excellence

eXtension HorseQuest and My Horse University have been selected by the National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN) for the 2009 Shirley Davis Award for Excellence in Synchronous Distance Learning for their equine webinars. A number of equine-based webinars and series have been presented through these programs in the past two years, including a webinar on Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses by Dr. Krishona Martinson of the U of M Department of Animal Science. The award will be presented at the NUTN Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY, on June 23.

NUTN is a membership-supported organization that provides dynamic professional development opportunities in support of emerging and current technology applications to professionals involved in higher education. Participants at the NUTN conference represent over 60 higher education institutions across the country that focus on distance education and the technologies that support education.
 

Animal Science Majors Comprise Majority of CFANS Student Board

The CFANS Student Board recently held elections for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary positions, and MSA and Class Representatives. Five of the seven newly elected board members are Animal Science majors.

Congratulations to the new student board members:

• President - Brianne Heder, Animal Science
• Vice President - Lucien McBeth, Animal Science
• Treasurer - Kevin Graner, Food Science
• Secretary - Katie Jones, Animal Science
• MSA Representative - Derek Mulhern, Agricultural Education
• Senior Representative - Myah Walker, Animal Science
• Junior Representative - Daniel Helvig, Agricultural Education
• Sophomore Representative - Katherine Zenk, Animal Science

Abbassi Visits CAHFS During WPDC in Sacramento

Animal Science Research Associate, Hayet Abbassi, DVM, PhD, presented a paper entitled “Significance of antibody detection in the diagnosis of chicken cryptosporidiosis” at the 58th Western Poultry Disease Conference (WPDC) held in Sacramento, CA, March 23-29. The WPDC is a forum for avian disease professionals to discuss the challenges of avian health, diseases, and food safety issues, and learn about the latest avian research.

While in California, Dr. Abbassi visited the Turlock and Fresno laboratories of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS). At the Turlock lab, Dr. Abbassi had the opportunity to witness an atypical case of pox virus infection in broilers. The infection presented lesions around the cloaca of the broiler rather than on the head, which is the usual location for pox virus lesions. In Fresno, she saw typical cases of Marek’s disease in poultry as well as the pox virus.

On the last day of the conference, Dr. Abbassi was invited to a barbeque at the home of Professor Shivaprasad of the Fresno lab.
 

Above: Dr. Abbassi (far right) at the Turlock lab with
other visitors and lab personnel.

Above (L-R): Dr. Richard Chin, Dr. Monique Franca, Dr. Hayet Abbassi, Dr. H.L. Shivaprasad and Dr. Peter Woolcock at the Fresno lab.

Beef Team Develops Bovine TB Newsletter

In 2008, the U of M Beef Team and Center for Animal Health and Food Science were awarded seven research and education projects by the Minnesota Rapid Agricultural Response (RAR) Fund that focus on filling the knowledge gaps in the state's fight against bovine TB. As an objective of this educational project, the Beef Team has put together a quarterly newsletter to provide updates on the research and extension activities that the U of M is currently conducting across the state regarding bovine TB.

To view the newsletter, visit the Beef Team website at: www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/pdfs/tb_newsletter_4109.pdf. If you have any questions about bovine TB, visit the state's Bovine TB website at: www.mntbfree.com.
 

Beef Team Hosts Alimental-Teknal Feedlot Tour

The U of M Beef Team hosted the 2009 Alimental-Teknal Feedlot Tour from April 8-17. Alimental (a Provimi subsidiary) and Teknal are leading nutrition and feedlot consulting companies in Argentina. These two companies have over 40% of the feedlot business in Argentina. Additionally, consultants from Nutriar and Nutral in Argentina and Uruguay were represented. A total of 15 nutrition consultants and 16 feedlot owners representing over 2 million head of feedlot capacity in Argentina and Uruguay comprised the international delegation.

The tour was coordinated by Dr. Grant Crawford, Mr. Jeff Jaderborg and Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo of the U of M Beef Team, and Dr. Nicolas Di Lorenzo provided translation services. Dr. Di Lorenzo is a former PhD student of Dr. DiCostanzo’s who is now with Texas Tech University.

Tour coordinators and Animal Science research assistants, Jolene Kelzer and Marcos Fossa, met an initial delegation of consultants and feedlot owners in San Antonio for the Annual Plains Nutrition Conference. From there, the group traveled to Omaha, NE, where they met up with the remaining members of the international delegation for a tour of the Nebraska feedlot industry. Airfares, coach rental and lodging were arranged by the Argentine travel agency Coovaeco Turismo, which was represented during the tour by Mr. Miguel Bentivegna. The group selected Nebraska feedlots because of the similarity to the climate, facilities and feedlot capacities commonly found in Argentina and Uruguay. 

In preparation for the tour, Dr. Di Lorenzo gave a presentation on the structure and future of the U.S. beef industry, Dr. Crawford presented the U.S. beef grading system and grid marketing, and Dr. DiCostanzo addressed challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. beef industry today. The group then toured the University of Nebraska’s research feedlot, five Nebraska feedlots including Midwest Feeders, Alan Borgelt Feedlot, J.D. Alexander Feedlot, CD Feedlot and Herb Albers Feedlot, and Greater Omaha Packing Company.

Special presentations on acidosis, grain processing and wean-to-finish production systems were given by Dr. Galen Erickson of University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Additionally, while in Hastings, NE, Dr. Mindy Spiehs presented information on research programs and research facilities of the Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE, and Dr. Tammi Brown-Brandl gave a presentation on effects of heat stress on cattle and managing heat stress. 

Judging from the evaluations (averaging scores of over 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 for overall and usefulness of the tour) and the extreme positive comments during and at the end of the tour, the event was declared a complete success with participants having achieved and/or exceeded their expectations. The challenge will be to match or excel on the success of this tour.

The U of M Beef Team and Dr. Di Lorenzo acknowledge, with much thanks, the help of Dr. Jamie Larson of Mississippi State University for assisting with travel logistics; Drs. Erickson, Spiehs and Brown-Brandl for their timely presentations and willingness to answer many questions; Dr. Sheri Bierman of Corn Belt Nutrition Consulting, and Mr. Duane Gangwish of Nebraska Cattlemen and co-owner of CD Feedlot for arranging feedlot visits; and Dr. Mark Corrigan, Lallemand, Inc., and Mr. Brad Mitteness, CAMAS, Inc., for kindly sponsoring meals.

The Beef Team extends special thanks to Mr. Jeff Kafka of Elanco Animal Health for sponsoring meals and for arranging one of the most difficult tours—Greater Omaha Packing Co., and to Mr. Angelo Fili of Greater Omaha Packing Co. for an extremely educational tour of the plant.
  

Noll and Whitney Guest Speakers at DDGS Short Course for Japanese Feed Industry Team
Source: Sally Sologuk Backman, Northern Crops Institute, Fargo, ND

Dr. Sally Noll, U of M Department of Animal Science, and Dr. Mark Whitney, U of M Extension, were among the guest speakers at a Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) short course where a 10-member Japanese feed industry DDGS pelleting team learned more about how to incorporate the co-product of ethanol production into high quality pelleted feed for poultry, swine, beef, dairy and aquaculture. "DDGS: Nutrition, Use and Feed Manufacturing" was held at the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) in Fargo, ND, April 20-24.

The Japanese team members represented companies utilizing 80% of DDGS imported by Japan, according to the team's sponsor, U.S. Grains Council (USGC). USDA's Foreign Agricultural Services reports that Japan imported 198,000 metric tons of U.S. DDGS in 2008, an increase of 114,000 tons from 2007.

Dr. Kim Koch, NCI Feed Production Center manager, coordinated and lectured in the course, and led the team during feed pelleting instruction and demonstrations at the NCI Feed Center.

"Japan is one of the largest importers of DDGS in Asia and, judging from the interest this team had for livestock nutrition and production information when using DDGS, there is every indication that those imports will increase,” says Koch. “The training this team received in nutrition, production management and feed manufacturing using DDGS will enable them to promote the many positive benefits of DDGS."

Hiroko Sakashita, Associate Director of USGC Tokyo, escorted the team. USGC also brought a DDGS feed team to NCI in 2008.

“Since the members have been studying the production of pellets with DDGS at their own companies, this workshop contributes to their development of better pellets with a higher inclusion of DDGS. This will ultimately invite further growth in the consumption of U.S. DDGS in the Japanese market,” says Sakashita.

The group learned more about dairy nutrition and production using DDGS through presentations by SDSU Dairy Science faculty Drs. Arnold Hippen, Ken Kalscheur and David Schingoethe. Additional speakers included Dr. Vernon Anderson, NDSU Research Extension Center, and Kurt Rosentrater, USDA-ARS, Brookings.

The short course included tours of Tharaldson Ethanol, Casselton, ND; POET Nutrition, Sioux Falls, SD; POET Ethanol Facility, Chancellor, SD; Turner County Dairy, Parker, SD; Bones Feed Yard, Parker, SD; and the SDSU Dairy Unit in Brookings, SD.

The team also attended a dinner in Fargo hosted by the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, were guests of VeraSun/Valero at a dinner in Sioux Falls, and attended a lunch in Sioux Falls that was hosted by POET.

Northern Crops Institute (NCI) supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern-grown crops. NCI is funded by the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and commodity groups in those states and Montana.
  

The Gelding Project: Helping the Unwanted Horse One Stallion at a Time

The Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition, the Minnesota Horse Council, the Animal Humane Society, and the U of M, in cooperation with the Minnesota Association of Equine Practitioners, are launching The Gelding Project. This program is designed as a key step to reduce the number of unwanted horses in Minnesota.

The first aspect of the project, Education Earns Stallions to Geldings, will encourage horse owners to choose to make stallions into geldings through education and financial incentives. An interested horse owner who enrolls in the program will be eligible for a voucher to cover the cost of castration surgery by a participating veterinarian (includes the U of M Large Animal Hospital), once the owner attends eight horse health and management educational sessions.

Here’s how the program works:

1. Obtain an official voucher from participating veterinarians, the Minnesota Horse Council, or members of the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition (more information is listed on www.mnhorsecouncil.org ). Vouchers cost $5. 
    
2. Attend eight horse health and management educational sessions, including General Horse Care; Reproduction; Nutrition; Facilities/Manure Management; Equine Dentistry; Vaccinations and/or De-worming; Horse Behavior; and a Lecture on the Unwanted Horse or volunteer 2 hours at a Minnesota horse rescue.
    
3. Contact a participating veterinarian to arrange castration of the stallion.
1. The stallion must be halter broke.
2. The stallion must have two descended testicles.
3. Farm calls are not covered by the voucher.
    
4. The voucher covers the cost of castration, anesthesia, post operative antibiotic, and tetanus vaccination or anti-toxin.
    
5. Complete The Gelding Project evaluation before leaving the clinic. 

Participants must be at least 18 years old and a Minnesota resident.

For more information about The Gelding Project, contact Krishona Martinson (krishona@umn.edu or 612-625-6776) or Julie Wilson (wilso011@umn.edu or 612-625-3745).
  

Martinson Visits Capitol Hill During PILD Conference

Dr. Krishona Martinson recently attended the Public Issues and Leadership Development (PILD) Conference in Washington, DC. The conference was sponsored by the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP). During the conference, participants had the opportunity to attend several leadership training sessions as well as sessions on critical conversations and public issues.

One day of the conference took place on Capitol Hill where participants met with State Senators and Congressmen/women. The Hill visits focused on the objectives and benefits of the U of M Extension and issues currently affecting Minnesotans. The Minnesota delegation met with staff from Senator Klobuchar’s office, and Congressman/woman Bachmann, Walz, Oberstar, Peterson, Kline and McCollum.

Photo (L-R): LeeAnn Buck, Citizens Advisory Board; Tim Dolan, Sibley County Agriculture Extension Educator;
David Nelson, Civic Engagement Extension Educator based out of the Mankato Regional Office; Congressman Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee; Krishona Martinson, Equine Extension Specialist; and
Becky Harrington, 4-H Extension Educator based out of the Moorhead Regional Office.

Hansen Educates Dairy Producers in Mexico

Dr. Les Hansen was a featured speaker at the International Dairy Symposium held in conjunction with the Milk Expo 2009, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Dr. Hansen spoke on dairy cattle genetics on the first day of the 3-day symposium, which included 13 presentations of which 8 were by U.S. specialists.

The focus of the entire 3-day symposium was fertility of dairy cows, and speakers emphasized the role of genetics, nutrition and management to improve the reproductive performance of dairy cows.
  

Animal Science Meat Lab Hosts FFA Events

On Monday, April 27, the Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science (ABLMS) hosted the State FFA Meats Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE). Over 140 students from throughout Minnesota participated in the contest, which included beef yield and quality grading, retail cut identification and six classes of carcasses, and wholesale and retail cuts from beef, pork and lamb.

Dr. Ryan Cox, who served as contest faculty chair, extends his thanks to everyone involved for their tremendous support, including Pete Nelson (product chair), Jeff Voss (teaching chair), Matt Pearson (student chair), Carissa Nath, AURI (official committee), and Laree Walker, Sysco (official committee).

The ABLMS also hosted four FFA workshops on Monday and Tuesday, April 27 and 28. The Monday workshop, titled “Meat Evaluation and Marketing” taught students the major wholesale and retail cuts from the major red meat species, logical and applied rationale for placing specimen classes of these products, the meat industry’s role in the global market, and career opportunities in meat science and the related industries.  The workshop instructors were Ryan Cox, Carissa Nath (AURI) and Laree Walker (Sysco). 

In the Tuesday workshop, “Meat Cookery and Safety”, Ryan taught students where cuts of meat come from on a carcass, the proper techniques for marinating, flavoring and cooking those cuts, common food safety threats, and strategies to prevent food borne illness. 

Above: FFA Meat Evaluation CDE participants (left); participants of the Meat Evaluation and Marketing FFA workshop (right).
  

Grilling Season is Here!

Planning a meal for your family or a barbeque for a small group? Choose from a delicious variety of beef, pork, lamb and poultry from the Animal Science Meat Sales Room. New York strip, t-bone, porterhouse and sirloin steaks, pork chops and pork spare ribs, lamb riblets and chops, kabobs, boneless/skinless turkey breast, hamburger, hot dogs, and several varieties of bratwurst and sausage are among the many meat products available for purchase—and reasonably priced.

Look for featured products and more on-line at: www.ansci.umn.edu/meatlab.htm.
  

Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference is June 10-11

The 2009 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will include many timely topics of interest to dairy producers and advisors. Noah Litherland, U of M Department of Animal Science, will discuss moderate energy diets and forage options for dry cows. Ric Grummer, University of Wisconsin, will talk about the most critical feeding period for transition cows. John Fetrow, U of M College of Veterinary Medicine, will present an update on U of M research in dairy production medicine including Johnes, ketosis, colostrum management and mastitis. Jan Shearer, Iowa State University, will discuss maximizing comfort for uncomfortable cows. Lance Baumgard, Iowa State University, will discuss new concepts in heat stress. Nigel Cook, University of Wisconsin, will address health aspects of cow comfort. Joe Harner, Kansas State University, will talk about cross ventilated freestall barns. Additional topics will include transition cow management, heat stress, robotics, niacin supplementation, and automatic monitoring of the milking process.

The program will start at 8:00 a.m. on June 10 with a morning pre-conference symposium sponsored by Diamond V Technologies. Symposium topics include use of yeast, feeding strategies to maximize milk production, and dealing with the issue of risk. The main conference starts at 1:30 p.m.

A breakfast, sponsored by Arm and Hammer, will be held on June 11 at 7:00 a.m. Joe Harrison of Washington State University is the breakfast speaker and will discuss DCAD balancing for lactating cows. The conference continues until 12:15 p.m. followed by optional post-conference workshops from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Post-conference workshop topics include new tools for on-farm troubleshooting, analyzing dairy farm profits, transition cow housing design, and building dairy rations.

The conference will be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, IA. For more information, see the Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference brochure.
  

Shop SummerHouse Garden

SummerHouse is a rustic and charming garden market where you can shop for fresh, local produce from area farmers, breads, baked goods, U of M meats, and gardening supplies. SummerHouse is open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., from May 15 to late August. Look for the garden market one mile west of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum entrance on State Highway 5.

Find more information about SummerHouse and the Landscape Arboretum on-line at: www.arboretum.umn.edu/.
 

TCF Bank Stadium Opens September 12

U of M football returns to campus on September 12 with the opening of the TCF Bank Stadium when the Minnesota Gophers take on the Air Force Academy Falcons. The Gophers' new home is one of the greatest college football facilities in the nation. The stadium has an open-air horseshoe design with a capacity of 50,000 in 39 suites, 59 loge boxes and 300 indoor club seats, and a 48-ft by 108-ft videoboard with LED display technology. The stadium is located on the northeast side of the Minneapolis campus near the site of old Memorial Stadium at 2009 University Avenue SE.

Don't miss the first homecoming game in the TCF Bank Stadium on October 10 (Gophers vs Purdue). The 2009 football schedule, as well as information about other sports at the U, and more about the new stadium can be found on-line at: www.gophersports.com/.
 

Alumni Association Offers Half Price Membership

During the month of May, faculty and staff can join the U of M Alumni Association for $25—half the price of regular membership. And, current members can take advantage of this special price to renew their membership.

Association membership comes with many on-campus rewards including a 10% discount at the U Bookstores, Gold Country, and D'Amico and Sons Cafe in the McNamara Alumni Center plus a discount on Minnesota Landscape Arboretum membership. Other member benefits include entertainment and travel savings across the country and on-line shopping discounts at popular retailers through www.workingadvantage.com. A complete list of member rewards can be found at www.alumni.umn.edu/rewards.

As an Alumni Association member, you will be an ambassador for the U of M who helps sustain important Alumni Association programs such as:

• Distinguished Teaching Awards
• Legislative advocacy on behalf of the U
• Mentoring program support
• MINNESOTA magazine, an award-winning publication that keeps members informed about U research, teaching, student life, alumni achievements, Gopher athletics, arts, and events and activities

Sign up for this half price, one-year membership online at www.alumni.umn.edu/membership or call 612-624-9658 (use promotional code N09EH to receive this special price).
  

Jeff Jaderborg

Jeff Jaderborg is a first year Animal Science graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in ruminant nutrition focusing on cow/calf and feedlot nutrition. Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo is Jeff’s advisor for his research on managing dry matter intake (DMI) of beef cattle to reduce TB transmission risk.

Jeff is originally from Spooner, WI. He completed is BS in Animal Science this past fall at the U of M. While working on his Master’s, he is looking forward to being involved with Beef Team research and education activities throughout the state.

Outside of school, Jeff enjoys spending time with family and friends, being active in the livestock industry, watching sports, and enjoying the outdoors.
  

Vince Crary, U of M Extension Educator and Dairy Team member, retired in March after 17 years with Extension.

Carl Dahlen successfully defended his PhD thesis, “Methods to improve reproductive efficiency in beef cattle”, on May 7.

Chris Sigurdson is the new General Manager of Minnesota Select Sires. Chris graduated in 1992 with a degree in Animal Science.

Jan Swanson, Director of Veterinary Outreach Programs, is retiring on June 5 after over 35 years of service at the U of M.
  

Kristen Cleary has been awarded an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) grant to work on a project with Drs. Krishona Martinson (Animal Science) and Julie Wilson (College of Veterinary Medicine). Kristen is an Animal Science student majoring in Pre-vet. Project title: Evaluating round bale feeders for reduced hay waste and improved horse health.

Dr. Marcia Endres received a Rapid Agricultural Response (RAR) Fund grant in the amount of  $103.872. Project title: Evaluating utilization of recycled manure solids as bedding material for freestall dairy barns in the upper Midwest. Funding period: 7/1/09-6/30/11. RAR Fund grants are allocated annually by the Minnesota Legislature to address urgent agricultural and natural resource industry issues.

Dr. Dennis Johnson (PI), and co-PIs Dr. Marcia Endres and Mary Raeth-Knight were approved for a planning grant from the USDA for "Integrated organic dairy research and extension planning".

Christina Phillips (PI and graduate student) and Dr. Yuzhi Li (faculty advisor) received $9,980 from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE). Project title: Reducing pre-weaning mortality in loose-housed farrowing systems. Funding period: 09/01/2009-08/01/2011.

Chuck Schwartau, U of M regional extension educator and Dairy Team member, received a $3,000 pre-proposal planning grant from the North Central Risk Management Education Center to survey employers of the Hispanic dairy workforce in Minnesota. Potential topics of the survey include distribution of the workforce, training needs of the employers and employees, preferred methods of receiving training, and limitations to participation in training. This pre-proposal grant will help develop a broader proposal for 2010.
  

- May 2009 -

4, 11 & 18 - Living on the Land Livestock Workshop Series (6:30-9:45 p.m.), U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Wayne Martin, 612-625-6224. Online registration: http://umnext.cmiregistration.com/ProgramDetail.aspx/LivingLandLivestockStPaul.

7-10 - Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale, U of M St. Paul Campus. For more info, contact the Horticulture Club.

10 - CFANS Commencement (2:00 p.m.), Northrop Auditorium, U of M Minneapolis Campus.

19 - CFANS Spring College Assembly (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.), North Star Ballroom, U of M St. Paul Student Center.

19-21 - Minnesota Dairy Health Conference, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education, 612-624-3434 or 800-380-8636.
 

- June 2009 -

10-11 - Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA. Contacts: Jim Salfer (MN), 320-203-6093; Mike Hutjens (IL), 217-333-2928; Dale Thoreson (IA), 319-267-2707; Paul Fricke (WI), 608-263-4596.

11-13 - Gopher Dairy Camp, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Brad Heins, 612-625-9294.

16 - FANS Division Annual Picnic, Livestock Pavilion, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Dana Souther, 612-624-7453.
 

- July 2009 -

10 - 6th Annual Golf Scramble for Scholarships (8:00 a.m.), Les Bolstad U of M Golf Course. Contact: Scott Manwarren, 612-986-6628.
 

- August 2009 -

27-Sep 7 - Minnesota State Fair, Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul. Contact: MN State Fair, 651-288-4400.
 

- September 2009 -

15-16 - 70th Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Holiday Inn, Owatonna, MN. Contact: Lee Johnston, 320-589-1711 or John Goihl, 800-322-0437.

19-22 - Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education, 612-624-3434 or 800-380-8636.

- October 2009 -

4-11 - Homecoming 2009, U of M Twin Cities.